This week in Iowa organizing…
Happy St. Patrick's Day to those who may celebrate it. And regardless, stay safe out there!
The exact details of his life are a bit murky and myths have grown over time for sure. But one thing I've been told is that he came back to Ireland because he wanted to help heal the people who hurt him. He did that by telling the truth and holding oppressors accountable for the harm they did to people who didn’t have much power – particularly women and the poor.
Speaking of oppression, on this day in 1992 apartheid came to an end in South Africa. We've got a lot of work to do, but history shows us that by coming together, speaking truth to power, getting organized and not giving up, we can make lasting and meaningful change. So let's keep at it.
Matthew Covington
Strategic Operations Director
At the Statehouse
Property tax 'reform' to dominate discussions
As cities across the state grapple with their budgets for the upcoming fiscal year, lawmakers are likely to dig in deeper on their plans to further reform property taxes in the coming weeks. But they'll also continue to move non-budgetary bills forward in advance of the second legislative funnel deadline on April 4.
As we get closer to the second funnel, we have two meetings over Zoom to keep folks up to speed and how to take action:
March 20 @ 6:30pm: Bayer's "Cancer Gag Act" update
Join us to learn about the growing number of legislators who have committed to opposing the Cancer Gag Act, how to respond to Big Ag's talking points, an overview of the bill, and the timeline for the second half of the session and key moments we'll need all hands on deck. RSVP here.
March 27 @ 6pm: Legislative session recap & look ahead
We'll come together on Zoom on March 27 to recap where things stand, discuss what's behind the attacks on people, places, and institutions we hold dear, and dig-in on how to take action as the session winds down. RSVP here.
Take action
March 18 & 20: Protect Mitchell County from CO2 pipelines
The work to protect our communities from CO2 pipelines is far from over. If you are a Mitchell County resident please join us for one of two informational meetings we will be holding where we'll discuss local updates on the No CO2 pipeline fight and continue the work to protect the people and places we love:
St. Ansgar, South Square: Tuesday, March 18 from 6:00 – 7:30pm. RSVP here
Osage, Public Library: Thursday, March 20 from 6:00 – 7:30pm. RSVP here
March 18: Des Moines community meeting
Things can feel overwhelming these days, especially at the state and federal level. But we know that by coming together and taking action for the people and places we love we can make the changes we need.
Join CCI's Racial Justice Team and members of the community to talk about the issues we're facing in the Des Moines metro, craft solutions, and take action to make a difference.
The meeting will be Tuesday, March 18 at the Polk County Senior Center, 2008 Forest Avenue starting at 6:30 p.m. You can RSVP here or call 515-255-0800.
March 25: Public School Strong orientation
Everyday Iowans know that strong public schools are a cornerstone of our communities and democracy. By organizing in our neighborhoods and at local school board meetings, we can create positive, common sense solutions to address the real issues our schools are facing.
That's why we're part of Public School Strong - a national movement of parents, teachers, students, and community members pushing for honest, equitable, safe, and fully-funded public education. Join our next orientation session on Tuesday, March 25 at 6pm over Zoom. More info and RSVP here.
March 29: Called to climate action conference
Join Iowa Faith & Climate Network for their annual Called To Climate Action Conference! This event is for anyone from college students new to the environmental scene to seasoned climate activists.
All of us are actively experiencing the rippling effects of climate change. We all carry a unique worry when it comes to our ever-changing world. As we come together, we can transform hope into practical action and tackle the climate crisis with others.
Read more about the conference and info to register here.
Public School Strong at the school board level
Iowa’s public schools were once top ranked but we’ve fallen behind because of chronic underfunding and poor leadership. We're fighting back through a statewide, locally-led petition campaign for fully funded public schools.
The signatures collected will urge your local school boards to pass a resolution calling on the Governor and legislature to fully fund our public schools at a 5% annual increase and to phase out private school vouchers. Learn more and add your name here!
CCI's spring sustainer drive - 50 for our 50th!
Iowa CCI celebrates 50 years as a people-powered organization this year! We have so many of you to thank for your generous support over these 50 years of working in Iowa’s communities.
Our organization is powered by our members – like you! In this moment, we are looking to boost our monthly giving. Now is the time to become a sustainer! Given what’s happening nationally, our community-led campaigns are more important than ever, and it’s critical that we fund the work ourselves.
Will you help us reach 50 new sustainers by April 15?
Here’s why CCI Sustainers make such a difference:
It’s revenue we can count on. We know these donations will come in each month.
It gives us flexibility to seize moments and take on emerging organizing campaigns. More importantly, it also allows us to plan, to be forward-looking, and to be strategic.
It builds our strength. Member contributions, especially monthly pledges, mean we have more control over our work. And it allows us to take powerful positions and action, backed by members, that foundations may not support.
Bonus -- sign up as a new sustainer today and we'll send you our "People Power" wool socks, pictured above.
Are you ready to test water and collect data?
This year we would like to be more strategic about water testing. We are looking for people willing to consistently test their tap and a body of water or stream in their area. We are looking to build regional teams across the state to work together on testing and collecting water quality data.
If this Citizen Science sounds like something you are interested in, join us for the monthly Zoom reboot with Heather Wilson from Izaak Walton League's Nitrate Watch program. Click here to get registered for 5pm March 27 on Zoom!
Details about the water testing program are available on the Iowa CCI website. We look forward to seeing folks on Zoom March 27.
Save the Date
Iowa CCI is turning 50!
We're hammering out the details, but we know we're turning 50 this year! We've got the Iowa Events Center reserved for July 25 & 26, and we know we want to see you there! So please save the date and stay tuned in the coming weeks for more details - it'll be good!
What We're Reading
These are a few links that are informing our work - we've shared them so that you can read, too!
Can empathy beat fascism? [The.Ink]
Better Iowa school lunches? Try funding, not new guidelines [Des Moines Register]
Ilhan Omar's American Dream is strong enough for these times [The Nation]
A movement to destroy U.S. democracy controls the Presidency, Congress, and the Supreme Court - but what's behind it? [Religion Dispatches]
DOGE's cuts to HUD will make it harder to afford housing, exit homelessness [Truthout]